PM calls for deeper study of ancient knowledge systems

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, addressing the 30th convocation ceremony of Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel, highlighted the historical contributions of the Himalayan region to education and scientific discovery. He compared the ancient Nalanda University, established in 427, with renowned Western universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Columbia, which were founded much later.

“Nalanda and 10 other universities in the Himalayan region existed over a thousand years ago,” he said. “Many Western nations have not even reached a millennium of existence.” While Nalanda University in India was established in 427, Oxford was founded in 1096, Cambridge in 1209, Harvard in 1636 and Columbia in 1754. He urged students to recognize their heritage as descendants of pioneers in research and innovation.

Referring to the achievements of ancient scholars, Oli emphasized that professors like Aryabhata at Nalanda had discovered the principles of gravity as early as the fifth century, long before Newton (in the 16th century). He pointed out that ancient Himalayan scholars were pioneers in science, mathematics and medicine, with Aryabhata and Bhaskaracharya making groundbreaking contributions, such as calculating the earth’s circumference and distance to the sun centuries ago.

“Bhaskaracharya, in 1150, calculated the Earth’s shape, circumference, distance to the sun and weight—discoveries later confirmed by modern science,” he said. “While the world was shrouded in darkness, our ancestors were exploring nature, philosophy, life and science.” He cited ancient texts and debates in Janakpur from nearly 4,000 years ago as evidence of this intellectual heritage.

Oli further asserted that ancient Himalayan sages made significant advances in surgery, astronomy and philosophy. He mentioned Maharishi Charaka, regarded as the father of medical science, who authored the ‘Charaka Samhita’ about 3,000 years ago. He also spoke of Sushruta, a pioneer in surgery, who hailed from eastern Nepal but had to move to Varanasi to expand his practice. Oli expressed pride in these historical achievements, emphasizing the need for modern students to rediscover their heritage and identity.

PM Oli expressed disappointment that such ancient innovations were overshadowed over time, leaving the region lagging in global progress. He called for revitalizing Nepal’s education system to focus on practical, technical and life-oriented learning, urging universities to design curricula fostering self-reliance and job creation instead of producing job-seekers. “Education must shape capable citizens through character and ethics, not just certificates,” he said.

The Prime Minister also addressed the modern-day challenges of climate change, noting how Nepal’s mountains are turning into barren rocks due to environmental degradation. He called for practical and self-reliant education systems that focus on creating jobs rather than merely seeking them. Oli urged Kathmandu University to incorporate practical, technical and life-oriented subjects into its curriculum to prepare students for real-world challenges. Highlighting the role of education in character-building and ethical development, he suggested that competency is defined not just by degrees but by behavior, values and responsibility.

Kathmandu University Vice-chancellor Bhola Thapa shared the institution’s commitment to promoting educational excellence, innovation and social impact. He highlighted the university’s efforts to democratize education through accessible digital platforms and tailor programs to meet the evolving demands of global and local markets. The university, he said, has focused on strengthening its brand internationally by fostering research, collaboration and innovation.

For the first time in its history, Kathmandu University awarded degrees to students from new programs like Master in Urban Studies, Master in Media Studies, Master of Fine Arts, Master in Indigenous Education and Development, and Master in Health Informatics. The convocation ceremony marked a milestone with 1,256 students graduating, including three PhD scholars. Among the graduates, 51.04 percent were female, and six percent were international students from nine countries, including India, China, France, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Iran, the UK, the US and Bhutan. Since its inception, the university has graduated 46,693 students, with 5,542 of them being international students from 57 countries. 

The convocation ceremony also underscored the strong historical and cultural ties between Nepal and India. Triloknath Singh, director of the Indian Institute of Technology in Patna, lauded the collaboration between the two nations in education and research, highlighting its potential to drive sustainable development. 

PM Oli stressed the government’s commitment to fostering collaboration between universities to enhance employability, innovation and self-reliance among students. He highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, calling for environmental justice and student engagement in addressing these challenges. “Education should empower youth to create jobs and contribute to the nation’s identity and progress,” Oli concluded.